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Aunt's tribute to murdered pair | |
(about 8 hours later) | |
The great aunt of two children found dead in a car boot has paid tribute to the "beautiful" toddlers. | |
Three-year-old Harry Donnison and his two-year-old sister, Elise, were found in a car boot in Heathfield, East Sussex, on Wednesday. | |
Initial post-mortem results showed the youngsters died of asphyxiation. | |
Police are waiting to speak to their mother, Fiona Donnison, 43, of Lightwater, Surrey. She is under arrest in hospital with self harm injuries. | |
'Shocked and upset' | |
Ivy Donnison, 78, said: "They were really beautiful children. You couldn't fault the way they had been brought up." | |
She said their deaths had placed a "big strain" on the family, including the children's father, Paul Donnison, who was separated from their mother. | |
At Lightwater Pre-School in Surrey, which Harry attended, staff said he was "fun-loving". | |
A spokeswoman said: "Obviously this news is devastating and all our staff, committee and parents are shocked and extremely upset. | |
Fiona Donnison is in a stable condition in hospital | |
"We have Harry and Elise in our thoughts and we send our heartfelt sympathy to the children's family." | |
Rev Martin Sheldon, from All Saints' Church in Lightwater, said: "We have been devastated to hear of the news of this tragic event and our hearts go out to everyone involved in the family." | |
Tests showed the children had been dead for less than 24 hours when their bodies were discovered in a holdall in the back of a silver Nissan. Toxicology tests are due to be carried out. | |
Teenage sons | Teenage sons |
Police revealed they had "previous contact" with Ms Donnison and her estranged husband Paul Donnison prior to the deaths, although they would not give details. | |
Ch Supt Robin Smith, of Sussex Police, said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with their deaths. | Ch Supt Robin Smith, of Sussex Police, said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with their deaths. |
The car, which was discovered in Mill Close, was towed away for analysis. | |
A cordon has been in place around a three-storey detached house in nearby Sheepsetting Lane which has a "Sold" sign outside. | A cordon has been in place around a three-storey detached house in nearby Sheepsetting Lane which has a "Sold" sign outside. |
Neighbours said the couple had separated just before Christmas, when the house was put up for sale. | Neighbours said the couple had separated just before Christmas, when the house was put up for sale. |
Ms Donnison, a former Lloyds syndicate worker who also has two teenage sons, had previously lived in the house with her husband. | Ms Donnison, a former Lloyds syndicate worker who also has two teenage sons, had previously lived in the house with her husband. |
Her home in Lightwater has also been cordoned off. |